Wheel cover



Aug. 25, 1953 G. A. LYON WHEEL COVER Filed Oct. 12, 1948 $71 2]? far Patented Aug. 25, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WHEEL COVER George Albert Lyon, Detroit, Mich. Application October 12, 1948, Serial No. 54,167

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements inwheel structures and more particularly concerns improvements in the protective and ornamental covering of the outer side Another object of the provide in a wheel structure a novel cover assemvide 1n a cover assembly a tive ornamental appearance.

According to the general features of the invention there is provided in a wheel structure inthe wheel point on the tire rim to the bolt-on flange for attachment to ccording to other features of the invention A the; annular and crown faces thereof extending generally axially outwardly beyondhe surface of the ornamental bead and the bead has its surface finished in a contrasting color to the surfaces of the annular and crown portions.

According to other general features of the invention there is rovided an ornamental wheel tions having the groove defined thereby, and an ornamental bead retainingly engaging said retaining means and closing said groove.

According also within the reflective portion.

According to still other features of the invention, the trim ring annular portion has a generally axially outwardly range of said crown rib and said bead rests thereon and is held thereby in axially outwardly offset relation to the adjacent area of the trim ring portion to facilitate entry of a pry-off tool between said shoulder and the bead.

Other objects, features and advantages of the of a vehicle wheel including a cover the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged radial through the assembly of Figure 1 tially on the line II-II; and

Figure 3 is a radial sectional like Figure 2, tion.

As shown on the drawings:

A wheel sectional view taken substanview substantially but showing a slight modificadips in dished formation axially and radially inwardly to a bolt-on flange |5 which is preferably disposed at approximately the median plane or center line of the wheel. IS in the bolt-on flange receive the shanks of headed wheel attachment bolts I! for attaching the wheel to the hub or axle structure of a vehicle (not shown). Both the wheel body 5 and tire rim 1 may be made from appropriate gauge sheet metal stamped or rolled to shape, the components being assembled by welding or riveting.

As will be observed from Figure 2, the relationship of the wheel body and the tire rim are such that substantially clear access to the bolt-on flange I5 is afforded on a diagonal line from a shoulder l8 defining the juncture between the intermediate flange 9 and the terminal flange I0, and past the reinforcing rib or nose bulge M to the radially outer side of the bolt-on flange l5. Thus, the tire rim and the wheel body together afford a deeply dished structure. It is within this dished formation of the wheel that the cover 5 is received.

As its principal'component, the cover 5 comprises a circular cover member H! which is adapted to substantially conceal the outer side of the wheel body inside of the tire rim terminal flange In. To this end, the cover component l9 comprises an annular trim ring radially outer portion of generally dished shape generally conformable to the dished general formation of the wheel, having its radially outer margin turned under to afford a reinforced edge 2| which is adapted to seat against the tire rim shoulder l8. From this outer edge 2|, the trim ring portion20 extends axially and radially inwardly past the reinforcing rib l4 of the wheel body and axially and radially inwardly therebeyond to a generally axially inwardly projecting annular flat bottomed annular rib 22 comprising an intermediate juncture portion by which the trim ring annular portion 20 is joined with a central axially outwardly projecting convex crown portion 23. The ribportion 22 has a relatively flat bottom or base wall 24 which registers with the bolt apertures Hi and the bolt-on flange l5 of the wheel body and has appropriate bolt apertures in assembly registered with the bolt apertures l6 whereby the attachment bolts |1 secure the cover to the Wheel and more especially to the bolton flange |5, with the radially outer edge 2| of the cover maintained under tension by axially inward flexing as a result of the attachment to the wheel.

The rib 22 is of ample width to accommodate the attachment bolts |1 generally centrally therein and afford ample clearance for a bolt manipulating wrench. At he radially outer side of the rib 22, it is formed with a generally axially extending flange 21 which projects axially outwardly from juncture with the base wall 24 and joins the radially inner extremity of the trim ring annular portion 20 by way of a generally axially outwardly projecting annular reinforcing rib 28. The outer or peak portion of the rib 28, it will be Appropriate apertures observed, is off-set axially outwardly from the adjacent area of the trim ring annular portion 20 which it joins, but the annular portion 20, of course, extends to a substantial extent out beyond the rib 28 both radially outwardly and axially outwardly so that in effect, the rib 28 is at the inside of the dished formation provided by the trim ring portion 28 and relatively closely adjacent to the bottom of the dished portion but spaced from the bottom of the rib 22 by the axial flange 21. The radially inner side of the rib 22 is formed by the margin of the hub crown portion 23. Thus, the rib 22 affords an intermediate axially outwardly opening groove intermediate the trim ring portion 20 and the crown portion 23 of the cover member Hi.

In applying the cover to the wheel, the cover member I!) is assembled concentrically with the wheel and the attachment bolts secured through the registering bolt apertures l6 and 25 of the bolt-on flange of the wheel and the bottom wall 24 of the intermediate rib 22 of the cover member which in this instance serves as a bolt-on flange. When the bolts l1 are tightened up they draw the cover member |9 axially inwardly and place the outer margin of the trim ring portion 20 under tension against the tire rim shoulder l3. This affords a sung, rattle free arrangement. In the attached condition of thecover, contact between the cover and the wheel is made only between the edge 2| of the cover and the bolt-on bottom wall flange portion 24 thereof. The remainder of the cover is spaced from all parts of the tire rim and the wheel body.

An ornamental closure for the outwardly opening groove of the rib 22 is afforded by an orna mental annular bead 29 which is of a width to extend between the rib 28 and the side of the crown portion 23 and provide an attractive cover assembly with the attachment bolts concealed behind the bead 29. In a preferred form, the bead member 29 comprises a generally radially extending body portion 30 having its radially inner margin turned under to afford a reinforcing flange 3| which is adapted to rest snugly against the side of the crown 23. From thereinforced edge 3|, the bead body extends on a transverse convex curvature radially outwardly and preferably at least slightly axially inwardly to a radially outer marginal rib 32 formed by an underturned flange 33 which extends radially inwardly and then axially inwardly to afford an attachment flange portion 34, the axially inner terminal of which is turned axially outwardly upon itselfto afford a reinforcing and attachment bead 35. For engagement by the attachment bead 35, the cover flange 21 is formed with an equally spaced series of radially inwardly protruding integ-ral retaining bumps 31. As best seen in Figure 2, the bumps 31 are preferably formed on an' extension of the curvature of the rib 28 and extend axially inwardly to a slightly greater extent than the axial extent of the retaining flange portion 34 so that when the ornamental bead 29 is fully assembled, the reinforcing inner marginal bead 35 cammingly engages the inner ends of the bumps 21 and by which action the ornamental bead is held firmly in seating engagement with the rib 28. The diameter of the ornamental bead 29 is such that the radially outer marginal reinforcing rib 32 seats against the rib 28 and these ribs cooperate to provide a generally radially outwardly opening, juncture groove therebetween into which the end ofa pry-off tool such as a screwdriver (not shown) is adapted to be inserted to pry the gages the rib shoulder 28 and the underturned inner margin 3! engages the side of the crown portion 23. i

It will be observed that while the outer margin 2! of the cover member I9 is disposed well axially inwardly from the terminal extremity of he terminal flange l0 and is thus thoroughly protected against curbing damage, the crown ther protected against curbing damage.

For passage of the valve stem ii, the trim ring portion 20 may be formed with a stem clearance aperture 38.

Figures 1 and 2.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be Varied through a.

I claim as my invention: 1. In a wheel structure including a tire rim and a wheel body, the wheel body being set in to extend from said point on the tire rim to the bolt-on flange and including a central axially outwardly convex hub; cap simulating crown portion joined with the radially outer annular portion by an axially inwardly directed retaining bolts.

2. An ornamental wheel cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehicle wheel, said wheel cover including a circular cover member and having an annular trim ring portion and a central hub ca simulating crown portion with an intervening axially inwardly extending flat bottomed rib affording an axially outwardly opening annular groove, one of said portions having retaining means at said rib within the groove defined thereby and spaced inwardly from the mouth of the groove on the contiguous wall of the rib defining said groove, and an ornamental bead for retainingly engaging said retaining means and closing the groove, said bead having means thereon extending inwardly therebehind alongside said wall and retainingly engaging with said retaining means.

3. An ornamental wheel cover for disposition at the outer side of a vehicle wheel, said wheel cover including a circular cover member and having an annular trim ring portion and a central hub cap simulating crown portion with an intervening axially inwardly extending fiat bottomed rib affording an axially outwardly opening annular groove, one of said portions having retaining means at said ribwithin the groove defined thereby, and an ornamental bead for retainingly engaging said retaining means and closing said groove, the trim ring annular portion having a generally axially outwardly projecting shoulder at the juncture thereof with said groove forming rib and said bead resting thereon and being held thereby in axially outwardly offset relation to the adjacent area of the trim ring portion to facilitate entry of a pry-01f tool between said shoulder and the bead.

4. In a wheel cover assembly, a circular cover member comprising an outer annular portion and an inner circular portion and an intermediate annular depressed rib portion affording an outwardly opening groove having a generally axially extending wall defining the same, a substantially L-shaped bead member having an attachment le ardly therebehind alongside said wall, and means on said wall within and spaced inwardly from the mouth of the groove afforded by said rib for retaining engagement with said retaining leg for holding'the bead in assembly in closing relation to said groove.

5. In a wheel cover assembly, a circular cover member comprising an outer annular portion and an inner circular portion and an intermediate annular depressed rib portion affording an outwardly opening groove having a generally axially extending wall defining the same, a substantially L-shaped bead member having an attachment leg extending generally axially inwardly therebehind alongside said wall, and means on said wall within and spaced inwardly from the mouth of the groove aiforded by said rib for retaining engagement with said retaining leg for holding the bead in assembly in closing relation to said groove, said retaining means within the groove comprising a series of radially extending retaining bumps projecting into the groove from said wall.

6. In a cover assembly for disposition at the outer side of a vehicle wheel, a circular cover member having a trim ring portion and an inner circular integral portion with a generally axially inwardly extending fiat rib juncture portion between said trim ring'and inner circular portion, said rib being defined at its radially outer side by a generally axially extending flange and having a generally axially outwardly projecting annular rib at the'juncture of the flange with the trim ring portion, an ornamental bead member for closing the groove formed by said rib and having at its radially outer margin a generally axially inwardly extending retainingleg, said flange having means projecting radially inward ly therefrom engageable in retaining relation with said leg, said bead having a shoulder engaging said axially outwardly extending juncture rib and being thus maintained in axially outward offset relation relative to the adjacent area of said trim ring portion whereby to facilitate insertion of a pry-oif tool between said shoulder and said axially projecting rib.

'7. As an article of manufacture, a composite wheel cover including a circular cover member having a trim ring portion and a central axially outwardly protruding crown portion and a juncture rib extending axially inwardly between said portions and adapted for attachment of the cover to a wheel, one of said portions having a generally axially outwardly extending rib at juncture thereof with the juncture rib and an ornamental bead attached in snap-on, jry-off relation to the covermember and being of a width to extend between the radially inner margin of the trim ring portion and the side of said crown portion over the annular depression caused by said inwardly extending juncture rib and resting against said outwardly extending rib, whereby said bead is maintained in axially outwardly offset relation to said one portion for ready insertion of a pry-off tool between the outwardly extending bead and the rib.

8. In a wheel structure including a multiflanged tire rim affording a shoulder at the juncture of intermediate and terminal flanges thereof and a wheel body insetrelative to the outer side of the tire rim and having a bolt-on flange adjacent to the median plane of the wheel, with th portion of the wheel body intermediatethe bolt-on flange and the tire rim generally clearing a diagonal access plane from said tire rim shoulder to the bolt-on flange,qa wheel cover including a generally dished circular cover member having a radially outer margin engaging said tire rim shoulder and an inner bolt-on flange portion engaging the bolt-on flange and held thereagainst under tension, the cover member having a central axially outwardly extending integral crown portion spaced radially inwardly from the radially inner margin of the annular trim ring portion, and an annulus separably secured inconceale. ing relation to said bolt-on flange and spanning across the radially inner margin of the trim ring portion and the side of said crown portion, said radially inner margin of the trim ring portion having a rib axially outwardly from .the principal surface thereof adjacent to said bolt-on flange portion and providing 'a seat forthe annulus spacing the annulus from saidprincipal surface and facilitating insertion of a pry-off tool under the annulus. r

9. In 'a wheel structure including a multi- 'flanged tire rim affording a shoulder at the junc-' ture of intermediate and terminal flanges there-' of and a wheel body inset relative to the outer side ofthe tire rim and having a bolt-on flange adjacent to thermedian. plane ofthe wheel, with the portion of the wheel body intermediate the bolt-on flange and the tire rim generally clearing a diagonal access plan from said tire rim shoulder to thebolt-on flange, a wheel cover including a generally dished circular cover member having a radially outer margin engaging said tire grim shoulder and an inner bolt-on flange portion engaging the bolt-on flange and held there projecting against under tension, the cover member having means of the attachment bolts for the wheel, the a central axially outwardly extending integra radially inner margin of the trim ring portion beportion, and an annulus separably secured in conthe 11m portion pro ecting substantially axially cealing relation to said bolt-on flange and spanand radially outwardly beyond th peak of said ning across the radiallv inner margin of the rib throughout the mayor area thereof except 1n trim ring portion and the side of said crown pora small area adJacent to the rib where the trim therethrough in attaching th bolt-on flange on 12. An ornamental wheel cover for disposition at the outer d apertures being concealed by said bead. comprising a circular cover member including a on flange having apertures therein adapted for ning between the trim ring and crown portions overlying the groove and having a shoulder enange and on said leg retalningly interengaging gaging against said Ilb and held thereby in axialin press-on, pry-off relation enabling the bead ly upwardly offset relation to the adjacent area member to be pressed axially inwardly into posiof the trim ring portion, the trim ring portion betion and to be pried an axially outwardly.

ing of concave cross section. GEORGE ALBERT LYON.

1. In a wheel cover of the character described,

a circular cover member having generally diver- References Cited in lJhe file Of this p n gently related radially outer trim ring and inner UNITED STATES PATENTS crown portions with a relatively wide intermediate axially outwardly opening groove therebe- Number Name Date tween defined at its axially inner wall by a bolt- Hunt 1938 on flange having apertures therein adapted for 212121737 y ---e-.--. .--v= Aug. 20, 1940 

